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As Christians, we have a dual citizenship. We are citizens of our native land, but we are also citizens of the kingdom of heaven. Paul challenged the disciples in Phillipi to respond to the obligations of their heavenly citizenship while living as citizens of the Roman Empire. To be a poor citizen of one’s native land is also to be a poor citizen of the Kingdom of God. While the two are not to be equated, it should be recognized that as Christians we have a greater responsibility for being good citizens than wewould have as non-Christians.

Let’s look at it:

The Christian and the state (Rom. 13:1-7).

This passage does not deal with the whole problem of a Christian's relationship to the state. Nothing is said concerning the form of government. What is insisted is that state government is of God and that all who are under it should respect it.

Nothing is said about political parties or the matter of voting for governmental leaders. We are left out to infer that Christians should use their influence to secure good rulers and to exclude bad ones. Our first allegiance is to God, and only if the state requires of us something that would violate our loyalty to God, are we to resist (Acts 4:19-20; 5:29).

II. The duties of Christian citizenship.

We should be subject to the state because it is a divine institute (Rom. 13:1) Resistance to constituted authority is resistance to God, and it will be punished (Rom. 13:2). Rulers, viewed ideally, are God’sministers appointed to encourage that which is good and to punish that which is evil (Rom. 13:3-4). Only evil doers have anything to fear from properly constituted authority (Rom. 13:4). We should be subject to the state, not only from fear of the consequences of disobedience, but because it is right to obey (Rom.13:5). Taxation is an illustration of the state’s to impose duties upon us and of our duty to submit (Romans 13:6). Therefore, we should fulfill our many obligations to the state (Rom. 13:7)

III. Citizens of the kingdom of heaven (Phil 3:20).

Heavenly citizenship cannot be purchased or merited. It is ours by spiritual birth into the family of God through faith in Jesus Christ. We should set our affections upon things above (Col. 3:1). We should seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness first (Matt. 6:33). We should walk on earth worthy of our heavenly citizenship. Are you a good citizen? Hopefully, you are, if not, don’t you think now is a good time to give it a try? If you’re thinking of doing it, then I’ll give you one more scripture to help you along. (Phil. 4:13) says this, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” So go on my sister and brother in the power and might of God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and I know you will see the result of what the Lord can do.